Description

This beautiful book allows the reader to appreciate the complexities and subtleties of Ottoman art and architecture as a whole, while simultaneously learning more about the history of one of the world's most magnificent cities - Istanbul. Bridging the gap between the specialist scholar and the educated general reader, the history of the city is discussed, from the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453 up to the beginning of the twentieth century when the Ottoman Empire was finally dismantled following the First World War. This historical background appears alongside descriptions and illustrations of Ottoman architecture, regalia, textiles, books, ceramics, calligraphy and painting. Throughout, Yeomans presents the exhilarating alternative of Ottoman art, with its meaning expressed through non-figurative form rather than through the symbol systems and narrative of Western art.show more

Review quote

"An oversized hardback, this book is simultaneously an art book and a guide to Ottoman sites of historical interest in the city of Istanbul. It is more successful at the second than the first; while the photographs are abundant and well-reproduced, they are quite small and mostly distance views of architecturally significant buildings. The informative text has a level of detail appropriate for serious students of the city or Ottoman art and art history, in an accessible format. The overall effect is of a tour led by a guide with a deep knowledge of the city's artistic and political history. The author takes us from building to building, and within buildings, from room to room, mixing discussions of court history with details of ornamental style. The book is short on social history or cultural context, but contains a glossary of terms and a select bibliography. It will be of interest to general readers with a significant passion for its particular subject."-- Reference and Research Book News, 2012/10 "British painter and author of two previous Islamic art titles Richard Yeomans follows with The Art and Architecture of Ottoman Istanbul. A University of Warwick Institute of Education former art and design coordinator, Yeomans focuses on Constantinople turned Istanbul from the mid 1400s until the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire after WWI. Yeomans previously penned The Story of Islamic Architecture and The Art and Architecture of Islamic Cairo. Non-figurative forms predominate the artistic expression of Muslims as evidenced in the well illustrated structures, textiles, manuscripts, ceramics and paintings. History and art meld in this narrative of Mehmet the Conquerer, Classical Style, Baroque and Rococo influences, and final Westernization of Turkey. A chapter is devoted to calligraphy, illumination and miniatures. Glossary, bibliography and index included. Title designed by Samantha Barden. Today s Books editor Lex Ticonderoga puts The Art and Architecture of Ottoman Istanbul on the A-List. -- Today's Books, 2013/01"show more

About Richard Yeomans

Richard Yeomans was formerly the Coordinator for Art and Design at the Institute of Education, University of Warwick. The author of The Story of Islamic Architecture (Garnet Publishing, 1999) and The Art and Architecture of Islamic Cairo (Garnet Publishing, 2006), he is also a painter who has regularly exhibited his work in solo and mixed exhibitions in London and the Midlands.show more